Book on 50 years of SEARCA’s work in Southeast Asia off the press

Since its creation in 1966, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has continually marshalled its resources and efforts to promote agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia.

On the 50th year of its establishment, SEARCA is proud to tell its story—a story that highlights its evolution, major milestones and accomplishments through the years. A story of building capacities of Southeast Asians, of generating knowledge through cutting-edge research, of delivering research findings through knowledge resources and learning events, all the while adapting to the constantly changing agricultural landscape at the national, regional, and global levels to consistently reaffirm its position as SEAMEO's center of excellence in agriculture.

To commemorate its Golden Anniversary, the Center is proud to present "SEARCA's First Fifty Years: Pushing the Frontiers of Agricultural and Rural Development."

"The book marks our golden year with swatches of defining moments in the Center's first five decades, and how we view its future," said Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr., SEARCA Director, at the book launch held on 6 December 2016 at Fairmont Hotel in Makati City, Philippines.

The coffee table book chronicles SEARCA's journey, starting with its birth and formation to its growth and expansion amid changing contexts to how it has soldiered on to become one of Southeast Asia's leading institutions and window to ARD and the Center's aspirations for the future.

Though not a full detailed historical account, Dr. Saguiguit said the images in the book "honor and portray the collective efforts and contributions of a multitude of people and entities who have joined SEARCA in its noble objectives and mandate—a tribute to the Center's past and present leaders and staff, many of whom have silently and devotedly worked behind the scenes."

In much the same way, the book is a celebration of regional cooperation and friendship. SEARCA recognizes that without its strong community of partners, it would not be the Center it is today.

"Although this book has already been printed, set, and bound, it marks the beginning of a new phase in the Center's continuing efforts in the service of our host country and the 10 other countries in the region," Dr. Saguiguit said.

As it continues to push the frontiers of ARD, there is surely more to unfold in SEARCA's story of driving positive change in agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia. (Leah Lyn D. Domingo)